It's not that. The "intentionally fail" attitude is ridiculous. Fun and games in the summer, but once the season comes along you want to watch good hockey - not piss-ass "rookies" Richarding around on the ice.

I'd love to get Mcwhatever but I want to see my team win more.
- A_Tree

It's having a team that is not good enough to compete with other teams who have gone through the re-build. You obviously are old fashioned, and I mean that in the most none offensive way, in that you like to always ice a competitive team - veterans, good players, etc. That's what I'm trying to explain, it's not intentionally losing, it just happens. Veterans can no longer land you cups, you HAVE to re-build. It's the only way.

You build through the draft, but Anaheim, Detroit and Boston all won without top picks of their own (except Seguin, but he wasn't a top line player or anything).
- micah555

You're hilarious.

Seriously though, I agree with the first part.

You build through the draft, but Anaheim, Detroit and Boston all won without top picks of their own (except Seguin, but he wasn't a top line player or anything).
- micah555

2003 is a tricky year. Getzlaf and Perry were large factors. As was the top-6 pick Joffrey Lupul who was the main piece in the Pronger trade, which had the biggest influence on their cup run.

because he has issues now and will probably be worse in 4 years ?
although imo i dont think he deserved the treatment he got from van fans and the club , running him out of town like he molested their children or something.
- hunglikeapuck

He hasn't left yet. It's very possible he stays. Van fans are a fickle bunch. It comes from the stress of wanting to win so bad that anything less than perfection isn't good enough. It's very possible that Schneider could get the same treatment if there is any fall off in his play early in the year.

2003 is a tricky year. Getzlaf and Perry were large factors. As was the top-6 pick Joffrey Lupul who was the main piece in the Pronger trade, which had the biggest influence on their cup run.
- AdamFrench

Poached eggs. The secret ingredient.

You can quote me on this; I will be happy if Luongo comes to Toronto.

Poached eggs. The secret ingredient.
- A_Tree

You build through the draft, but Anaheim, Detroit and Boston all won without top picks of their own (except Seguin, but he wasn't a top line player or anything).
- micah555

They are the exception to the rule. Detroit just went places and scouted where most teams failed to look. Since then, teams have gotten more progressive, with going into Europe and scouting in every corner. Anaheim was lucky, getting Perry and Getzlaf, later in the first, but also drafted 2nd, for Bobby Ryan. They also grabbed Neidermayer as a UFA and Pronger through trade. Boston also did a very good job at drafting in later rounds. They also went the UFA route, with Chara. We don't have any of those assets on this team. We tried drafting later round players, but none are on this roster. Our UFA's have been a dismal failure. Even our top draft picks have been less then stellar. This team needs to get as low as they can go and grab the blue chip players that other teams have.

You can quote me on this; I will be happy if Luongo comes to Toronto.
- A_Tree

quoted... now what?

2003 is a tricky year. Getzlaf and Perry were large factors. As was the top-6 pick Joffrey Lupul who was the main piece in the Pronger trade, which had the biggest influence on their cup run.
- AdamFrench

2003 was a good year. Still, Selanne, McDonald, Giguere, Neidermeyer and Pronger were all stars on the cup run. It's not like the Ducks tanked to win the Cup. They didn't have any top picks of their own.

He hasn't left yet. It's very possible he stays. Van fans are a fickle bunch. It comes from the stress of wanting to win so bad that anything less than perfection isn't good enough. It's very possible that Schneider could get the same treatment if there is any fall off in his play early in the year.
- micah555

I got grief here saying that the pressure to win in Vancouver is pretty close to the pressure to win here (Toronto) anyway, time to get dinner ready then my stretchy pants on and comfy chair in position.

quoted... now what?
- steve362

We wait.

We wait.
- A_Tree

*waits patiently*

















































(frank) this.

2003 was a good year. Still, Selanne, McDonald, Giguere, Neidermeyer and Pronger were all stars on the cup run. It's not like the Ducks tanked to win the Cup. They didn't have any top picks of their own.
- micah555

2003 was the best year ever.

We wait.
- A_Tree

Nothing will happen?

2003 was the best year ever.
- robin_steele264

They are the exception to the rule. Detroit just went places and scouted where most teams failed to look. Since then, teams have gotten more progressive, with going into Europe and scouting in every corner. Anaheim was lucky, getting Perry and Getzlaf, later in the first, but also drafted 2nd, for Bobby Ryan. They also grabbed Neidermayer as a UFA and Pronger through trade. Boston also did a very good job at drafting in later rounds. They also went the UFA route, with Chara. We don't have any of those assets on this team. We tried drafting later round players, but none are on this roster. Our UFA's have been a dismal failure. Even our top draft picks have been less then stellar. This team needs to get as low as they can go and grab the blue chip players that other teams have.
- PrinceLH

Ryan wasn't on the Cup winning team.

So some cup winners used later draft picks to win. That validates the idea of trying to win and building via trade, UFA and the draft, doesn't it? Burke already traded away your lottery pick for Kessel. You're now a team that is trying to win. Whether you think it's the best way or not, your GM is going to try to build a winner without tanking.

It's having a team that is not good enough to compete with other teams who have gone through the re-build. You obviously are old fashioned, and I mean that in the most none offensive way, in that you like to always ice a competitive team - veterans, good players, etc. That's what I'm trying to explain, it's not intentionally losing, it just happens. Veterans can no longer land you cups, you HAVE to re-build. It's the only way.
- Unholy_Forward

Agreed, since the salary cap, the rebuilding of a team takes patience. Burke didn't have any and set this team back on its development curve. He was able to acquire many B level players, but has not been able to develop and A level talent. Early first rounders give the best opportunity to acquire elite level talent, making us competitive with other teams in the same situation.

Nothing will happen?
- AdamFrench

Drums, drums in the deep.

2003 was the best year ever.
- robin_steele264

But you didn't draft 1st overall...

That's not true and you know it
- The_Vark

Well you make something on me throw up.

Drums, drums in the deep.
- A_Tree

FOOL OF A TOOK

2003 was a good year. Still, Selanne, McDonald, Giguere, Neidermeyer and Pronger were all stars on the cup run. It's not like the Ducks tanked to win the Cup. They didn't have any top picks of their own.
- micah555

Pre-salary cap. Teams could buy what they needed to compete. See Leafs, Flyers, Rangers, Red Wings, back then.

FOOL OF A TOOK
- AdamFrench

2003 was the best year ever.
- robin_steele264

Pretty much. By volume, that's probably true. By pure talent, 79 and 84 come to mind. How many Fluerys and Staals does it take to match a Roy and Mario?